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IS 5823:1986 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for recommendations for dimensions for spaces for human activities. This standard provides recommendations for space dimensions based on Indian anthropometric data. It covers minimum clearances and spatial requirements for various human activities, serving as a fundamental guide for architects and designers in space planning for residential, commercial, and other buildings.
Recommendations for dimensions for spaces for human activities
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! The anthropometric data is from the 1980s and may not fully represent the current population; designers should use it as a starting baseline.
! These are non-mandatory recommendations, but serve as a widely accepted standard of care for good design practice in India.
! Always verify clearances for specific modern furniture and appliances as their dimensions may exceed the generic examples provided in the code.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 3Basic Body Dimensions
Cl. 4Space for Individual Activities
Cl. 5Space for General Activities
Section 3 - Space Dimensions for Domestic Activities
International Equivalents
Similar International Standards
Architects' Data, 5th English Edition (22nd German Edition)Ernst & Peter Neufert / Wiley-Blackwell (Germany/International)
HighCurrent
Architects' Data
The global de-facto reference for architectural space planning, anthropometrics, and building design dimensions.
Architectural Graphic Standards, 12th EditionThe American Institute of Architects / Wiley (USA)
HighCurrent
Architectural Graphic Standards
Comprehensive US-based reference for design data, human dimensions, and spatial requirements in architecture.
ISO 21542:2021ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
MediumCurrent
Building construction — Accessibility and usability of the built environment
Focuses specifically on accessibility, overlapping with IS 5823's provisions for movement and wheelchair users.
BS 8300-2:2018BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
MediumCurrent
Design of an accessible and inclusive built environment. Buildings. Code of practice
Provides extensive guidance on space for movement and activities with a primary focus on inclusive design.
Key Differences
≠IS 5823 is based on anthropometric data of the Indian population from before 1986, while international equivalents like 'Neufert' or 'AGS' use more recent data from European and North American populations, leading to different base dimensions (e.g., standard kitchen counter height).
≠IS 5823 is a foundational, but relatively simple, set of recommendations. Modern references like 'Architects' Data' and 'Architectural Graphic Standards' are vastly more comprehensive and detailed, covering a wider array of modern activities and technologies.
≠While IS 5823 includes basic dimensions for wheelchair users, modern standards like ISO 21542 and BS 8300 have a much stronger and more detailed focus on universal design and accessibility for a wider range of disabilities.
≠IS 5823 is a 'recommendation' (Group 0 BIS code), implying it is for guidance. Many international standards, or the codes that reference them (like the IBC), are often legally binding or serve as a 'code of practice' with higher authority.
Key Similarities
≈All standards share the core purpose of using anthropometric data to inform the design of functional, human-scaled spaces in buildings.
≈They use a similar methodology, translating static human body measurements (e.g., height, reach) into dynamic space requirements for activities (e.g., sitting, walking, turning).
≈The fundamental dimensions for common activities, such as the width required for a person to walk or the space at a dining table, are conceptually similar across the standards, even if exact values differ slightly.
≈Both IS 5823 and its international counterparts provide specific minimum dimensions for wheelchair accessibility, such as the standard 1500 mm turning circle diameter.